The 11 Photos That Show the Past, Present, and Future of Flying Cars

In Brief We have dreamed of flying cars for more than a century, but despite amazing technological advancements, it seems that they are always just over the horizon. Here's a look at the history of flying cars - from their entry in science fiction to the real prototypes currently flying across our skies.

Long before The Jetsons showed an average joe flying to work in a flying car, people dreamt of a flying car for the masses. But even today, that dream is still in its infancy. There is a lot of work to be done until the modern world is ready for mass-produced, affordable, airborne cars…and it's not hard to see why.

Technological constraints have made it nearly impossible for the flying car to become a reality—but not totally impossible. Whether it's the careful balancing act of weight and energy consumption (see: drones) or the obvious safety concerns of untrained pilots taking to the sky, flying cars have yet to become a viable mode of transport.

To fully appreciate how difficult it is to get the flying car off the ground, and understand where we are in relation to development, here's a look at where we are headed, and a look at some of the cornerstone inventions that brought us to where we are today.

1904 – Jules Verne's "Terror"

Source: verniana.org

One of the first examples of the flying car can be found in one of French author, and grandfather of science fiction, Jules Verne's last novels, Master of the World. The protagonist of the novel, a brilliant inventor, creates "the Terror"—a 30-foot-long vehicle that is not only a car and a plane, but is amphibious as well.

1917 – The Curtiss Autoplane

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

One of the earliest real-world attempts at making a car fly came only thirteen years later. Aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss built a prototype of a flying automobile: the triplane Curtiss Autoplane, which offered space for three passengers: The pilot in the front and two passengers in the rear. Its 100 horsepower engine was able to lift it off the ground, but it was never able to take off during test flights. The project was cut short when the United States entered World War I.

1946 – The Fulton Airphibian

Credit: Bernard Hoffman/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Image

Designed by Robert Edison Fulton Jr., this six-cylinder aircraft featured a car-grade suspension and easily removable wings. The idea of an easily converted "airphibian" flying car became an overwhelmingly popular one with the public, paving the road for countless future (yet fruitless) attempts at being the first true flying car of the masses. Financial concerns resulted in it never leaving the prototype stage.

1947 – Henry Dreyfuss Convaircar

Credit: FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

What if the flying car was just a regular car, with a specialized removable airplane attachment that gave it wings? The 35-foot wide (10.6 meter) aircraft engine attachment could be removed from the roof of the four-seat car body and towed while on the ground. The, almost comically simple, idea ended in disaster when its first test pilot fatally crashed.

1957 – Piasecki VZ-8 Airgeep

Credit: avionslegendaires.net

The military also showed interest in the growing phenomenon of the flying car, even though its usefulness was yet to be proven. The US Army tasked three auto-pioneers with developing a "flying jeep" that would operate close to the ground but could traverse difficult terrain by flying over it. The ducted-fan design of American engineer Piasecki won, but it was later deemed unfit for modern combat.

1980s – The Boeing Sky Commuter

Credit: Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

This futuristic design by aerospace giant Boeing from the 1980s has all the hallmarks of what we imagine when we think of a flying car: A sleek aerodynamic chassis, vertical takeoff and landing, a roomy interior, and a compact shell. It was a significant step away from the limitations of a convertible flying car; an all-in-one vehicle that didn't require the attachment or removal of wings or even a runway. The Sky Commuter project died before it could be fully realized, as the project costs ballooned to $6 million—a price tag far too high for Boeing at the time.

Ongoing – The Moller Skycar

Credit: Moller International 

Moller International has specialized in personal, vertical landing and takeoff vehicles for more than fifty years and is still working to make the flying car a reality. Even with state-of-the-art computer technology (and with not insignificant support from investors), the Moller Skycar has yet to fly without external help. Moller International has continued to research and develop new flying car technology.

Present – PAL-V One Credit: PAL-V

The PAL-V One ("Personal Air and Land Vehicle") strips the chassis down significantly by focusing on a three-wheeled car design. It features a propeller and rotor on the roof that allows it to take off like a helicopter, while the relatively large wheels and the fact it leans into curves enable it to be driven like a motorcycle. The company is planning to open the very first flying car school and to deliver the first units next year.

Future – Project Vahana

Credit: Project Vahana

Airbus released its plans for the "future of urban mobility" earlier this year. Dubbed "Project Vahana," Airbus has been working on a flying car concept that takes a page out of recent developments in drone technology. The current iteration of the not-yet-realized concept features an "eight fan tilt-wing" design, hoping to "improve cruise aerodynamics" and lower energy requirements.

2018 – AeroMobil

Credit: AeroMobil

Modernizing the concept of foldaway wings, Slovak flying car developer AeroMobil is attempting to take to the skies with the use of regular gasoline. It only requires a couple of hundred feet of paved or unpaved surface for takeoff and landing. The project proved it had legs (or wings) in 2013 and 2014 with two successful flights, but endured a setback when the third iteration of the prototype crashed during a test flight. The team hopes to take the AeroMobil to market as early as 2018.

2027 – Xplorair PX200

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Another example of an ongoing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft project is the French Armed Forces funded Xplorair PX200. Announced in 2007, the project aims to say "goodbye" to conventional "rotating aerofoils," such as the ones found in the AeroMobil, and to replace them with small jet engines, fitted inside the wing. To further set it apart, the jet engine relies on a uniquely developed thermoreactor that is more compact and produces more thrust than conventional jet engines. The project aims to commercialize the Xplorair in 2027.

Source: The 11 Photos That Show the Past, Present, and Future of Flying Cars

Companies race to create the first flying car

Nearly a dozen companies around the globe, including some with deep pockets such as European aircraft maker Airbus, are competing to be the first to develop a new kind of aircraft that will enable commuters to glide above crowded roadways. A few of the aircraft under development are cars with wings that unfold for flight, but most aren't cars at all. Typically they take off and land vertically like helicopters. Rather than a single, large main rotor, they have multiple small rotors. Each rotor is operated by a battery-powered electric motor instead of a conventional aircraft piston engine.

It's no sure bet that flying-car dreams will turn into reality. There are many obstacles, including convincing regulators that the aircraft are safe, figuring out how to handle thousands of new low-flying aircraft over cities without collisions and developing batteries that will keep them aloft long enough to be useful.

But entrepreneurs are moving forward. They see a vast potential market for "air taxis" and personally owned small aircraft to transport people from the fringes of metropolitan areas to city centers as urban areas grow more congested and people spend more time stuck in traffic. They envision tens of thousands of one or two-person flying taxis delivering passengers to the rooftops of office buildings in city centers and other landing pads during rush hours.

"In as little as 10 years, products could be on the market that revolutionize urban travel for millions of people," said Zach Lovering, the leader of Airbus' project to develop an autonomous flying taxi called the Vahana. The name means the mount or vehicle of a Hindu deity.

Uber released a 98-page report in October making the business case for air taxis, which the company sees as the future of on-demand transportation. Uber doesn't have any plans to develop a flying car itself, but the online transportation network is advising several companies that have aircraft in the works.

"The role we want to play is as a catalyst for the entire industry," said Nikhil Goel, an Uber project manager for advanced programs. Some of the aircraft are drones that will be preprogrammed for each flight and monitored or operated from the ground or a command center. Others are designed for human pilots.

It's unclear yet how much the aircraft will cost, although prices are likely to vary significantly. Some of the aircraft are designed to be individually owned, while others are envisioned more for commercial use. Designers hope that if demand is high, prices can be kept affordable through economies of mass production.

Several recent developments could make these aircraft possible. Advances in computing power mean the rotors on multi-copter drones can be adjusted many times per second, making the aircraft easy to control. Drones have also benefited from advances in battery and electric motor technology. Some companies, like Chinese dronemaker EHang, are scaling-up drones so that they can carry people.

Another aircraft under development, Santa Cruz, California-based Joby Aviation's S2, looks more like a conventional plane except that there are 12 tiltrotors spread along the wings and tail. And some, like the Vahana, a cockpit mounted on a sled and flanked by propellers in front and back, don't really look like any aircraft in the skies today.

"In terms of what you can make fly in a reliable manner, the solution speed gateway that (computer) chips have gone through recently have literally opened the door to a whole new world of flying machine possibilities," said Charles Eastlake, an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor emeritus of aerospace engineering.

But he also cautioned: "My best engineering guess is that people actually using autonomous air taxis in the next 10 or 15 years is possible, but definitely not certain. The challenges are big."

Key for many of the designs will be the development of longer-lasting lightweight batteries. Currently available batteries could probably keep an air taxi aloft about 15 to 30 minutes before it would have to land, experts said. Depending on how fast the aircraft flies, that probably isn't quite enough to transport passengers between nearby cities or across metropolitan areas, experts said.

Another hurdle will be winning Federal Aviation Administration certification for any radical new kind of aircraft when approval of even small changes in aviation technology can take years.

The FAA said in a statement that it is taking a "flexible, open-minded, and risk-based approach" to flying cars. FAA officials have discussed with several manufacturers the certification of aircraft that will be flown with a pilot in the beginning, and later converted to an autonomous passenger aircraft.

While further research is needed to ensure that autonomous aircraft are safe, "we believe automation technology already being prototyped in low-risk unmanned aircraft missions, when fully mature, could have a positive effect" on aviation safety," the agency said.

Reducing noise is another challenge since air taxis will be taking off and landing in densely populated areas. So is creating enough landing pads to handle lots of aircraft at the same time. A new air traffic control system would also likely be needed.

"It's pretty clear that the existing air traffic control system won't scale to the kind of density at low altitudes that people are talking about," said John Hansman, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor who chairs the FAA's research and engineering advisory committee.

NASA is developing an air traffic control system for small drones that perhaps could be expanded to include flying cars.

"There's no question we can build the vehicle," Hansman said. "The big challenge is whether we can build a vehicle that would be allowed to operate in the places where people want to use it."

Flying cars under development vary significantlySpurred by technology advances and demand for transportation alternatives in increasingly congested cities, entrepreneurs around the globe are vying to become the first to develop a commercially viable "flying car." The designs vary greatly, and most aren't actually cars capable of driving on roads. Here are some examples:

VahanaEuropean aircraft manufacturer Airbus is working at its Silicon Valley research center on a driverless flying taxi that at first will have a pilot, but will later be autonomous. The vertical takeoff-landing, all-electric aircraft is a cockpit mounted on a sled and flanked by propellers in front and back. Airbus plans to test a prototype before the end of 2017, and to have the first Vahanas ready for production by 2020.

CormorantIsraeli tech firm Urban Aeronautics originally designed its people-carrying drone as an "air mule" for military use. It takes off vertically and has a standard helicopter engine, but no large main rotor. Its lift comes from two fans buried inside the fuselage. Two smaller ducted "fans" mounted in the rear provide forward movement. It can fly between buildings and below power lines, attain speeds up to 115 mph, stay aloft for an hour and carry up to 1,100 pounds

Lilium JetGerman technology company Lilium Aviation is working on a two-seater aircraft that will take off vertically using 36 electric fan engines arrayed along its wings. The aircraft will hover and climb until the fans are turned backward slowly. After that, it flies forward like a plane using electric jet engines. The company has been flight-testing small scale models. The aircraft will have an estimated cruising speed of up to 190 mph and a range of 190 miles.

AeroMobil 3.0The Slovakian company AeroMobil has developed a car with wings that unfold for flight. It uses regular gasoline and fits into standard parking spaces. It can also take off from airports or "any grass strip or paved surface just a few hundred meters long," according to the company's website. Driver and pilot licenses will be required.

EHang 184Chinese drone maker EHang has been flight-testing a person-carrying drone in Nevada. The vehicle is a cockpit with four arms equipped with rotors. Takeoff and landing targets are pre-programmed. A command station in China will be able to monitor and control the aircraft anywhere in the world, company officials say.

S2Joby Aviation of Santa Cruz, California is developing a two-seat, all-electric plane with 12 tilt rotors arrayed along its wings and tail. The aircraft takes off and lands vertically and can achieve speeds up to 200 mph, according to the company's website.

Transition/TF-XTerrafugia, based in Woburn, Massachusetts, began working a decade ago on a car folding wings that can fly or be driven on roads that's called the Transition. The company says it plans to begin production of the Transition in 2019. Terrafugia is also working on a 'flying car' called the TF-X—a car with folding arms and rotors for vertical takeoff and landing.

VolocopterThis two-seater, electric multicopter from German company e-volo has 18-rotors and looks like a cross between a helicopter and a drone. It is controlled from the ground, eliminating the need for a pilot license.

ZeeThis Mountain View, California, aircraft developer bankrolled by Google co-founder Larry Page says on its webpage that it is working on a "revolutionary new form of transportation" at the "intersection of aerodynamics, advanced manufacturing and electric propulsion." Company officials declined to provide details about Zee's projects.

More information: Phys.org

Posted in Aerospace, Automotive, Featured Tagged Aerospace, aircraft, automotive, entreprenuer, Featured, Phys.org
Source: Companies race to create the first flying car

Forget flying cars — passenger drones are the future

In the July 1924 issue of Popular Science, "Ace of Aces" fighter pilot E.V. Rickenbacker told readers to expect "Flying Autos in 20 Years." Rickenbacker's flying car would have retractable 12.5-foot wings, a sea-worthy hull and wheels to cruise America's growing network of highways.

Ninety-three years later, personal cars remain land-bound. But Rickenbacker's car-like plane still dominates our idea of what a flying car should be. That expectation — ingrained in decades of pop culture and copied by real technologists — has held back innovation.

The winning "flying car" is going to be a passenger drone, and you won't find it cruising the highways. It will fly only and blend the best of autonomous driving technologies, ridesharing software and drone engineering. And it will hit the friendly skies soon, perhaps within 10 years. The conventional flying car is a dead-end, but the barriers to passenger drones are all surmountable.

The easy part

If you expected to zip around the skies in your personal flying car, I'm sorry to burst your bubble. If every rider had to fly 40 hours to earn an FAA-approved Private Pilot license, there would be no market. The passenger drone must be fully automated, and that is easier than it sounds.

Tesla, Google, Uber and other autonomous car makers are within three to five years of commercializing self-driving cars that require no human oversight. All the machine learning algorithms, sensors and safety systems from that effort will serve passenger drones equally well, if not better. Compared to cars, drones will face fewer unpredictable obstacles in the sky and have far more options for evading accidents.

Let's give passenger drones some airspace and shift the way we think about personal mobility.

The ridesharing software from companies like Uber and Lyft will be crucial, as well. Besides island-buying billionaires, no one will own passenger drones because they will be prohibitively expensive. Instead, the drones will be offered in taxi or ridesharing services. The Uber and Lyft apps are just what we need for passenger drones. The rider will tap to book a drone, which will fly to the pickup location, land and take off vertically and then fly to the requested address.

The other "easy" but dicey part of passenger drones is the vehicle design. Most of us have seen either the U.S. military's winged Predator drones or the tiny quadcopter drones flown by enthusiasts at parks. For passengers, what we need is a blend — a large quadcopter with fixed wings that can sustain flight with a heavy load yet maneuver in cluttered urban environments. It might resemble a larger version of the newest Amazon delivery drone.

The hard part

Passenger-drone development is further along than many people realize. In June 2016, the Chinese firm EHang received clearance from Nevada to test the world's first passenger drone. The Guardian reports that the drone can fly at up to 11,500 feet at 63 mph, but only for 23 minutes. Uber believes that Uber Elevate, an on-demand air transportation service, is achievable within a decade. Its fleet of electric Vertical Take-off and Landing aircraft (VTOLs) would resemble Lilium Aviation's jet, which just raised a $10 million Series A. Soon enough, drone makers like DJI, 3D Robotics, Hubsan and even Amazon may put their own passenger vehicles in the race.

These companies will run into two main barriers:

Charging. Currently, battery life is the biggest hurdle for drone makers that wish to increase flight times. A breakthrough in battery technology is no guarantee, but no reason to wait.

Passenger drones will simply need infrastructure for mid-air charging. LaserMotive, a Seattle-based wireless charging startup, shows promise here. Back in 2012, they ran an experiment with Lockheed Martin to extend the flight time of the Stalker Unmanned Aerial System. Their "laser power beaming" kept the drone in flight by targeting lasers at photovoltaic cells (i.e. solar panels) mounted on the vehicle. They sustained flight for 48 hours, marking a 2,400 percent improvement over the usual flight time.

Beaming high-energy lasers into the skies sounds sketchy, but not if drone infrastructure minimizes and compartmentalizes accidents. Cities could designate drone highways and restrict laser charging to those aerial thoroughfares. mid-air charging would drastically extend flight times and flights per day, as drones would never have to land for charging.

Regulation. Unfortunately, the FAA has been slow to address the drone industry's call for comprehensive regulations. The existing rules, updated by the FAA in August 2016, insist that drones must be within line of sight and must always be controlled by a live operator. They will strangle further innovation — at least in the U.S.

Other countries have welcomed autonomous drones with open arms. For example, Delft, a city in the Netherlands, has agreed to host the first fully autonomous drone network, complete with docking stations and drone rentals. Moreover, Flirtey and Domino's chose New Zealand for the world's first commercial drone delivery service because of the country's friendly regulations. They airlifted the first pizza to customers on November 16.

The U.S. could make a comeback by testing passenger drones with emergency services. Regulators could clear ambulance and search-and-rescue drones for life-and-death situations. In cases of cardiac arrest, for instance, victims need treatment within six minutes for a chance at survival. For people who live in New York, where the average ambulance response time was over 12 minutes in 2015, why not deploy a paramedic and a defibrillator in a drone? Why not take a risk on saving people who would have no chance otherwise? Such trial cases could break down regulatory resistance to autonomous drones.

A better symbol of progress

Movies, books and TV shows have set the expectation that innovators would, eventually, deliver personal flying vehicles. Although many discount this as mere science fiction, the truth is we're almost there.

While we won't get the archetypal flying car that E.V. Rickenbacker imagined, we will get something even better. Passenger drones could save Americans from spending 6.9 billion hours per year stuck in traffic. More importantly, emergency passenger drones could prevent thousands of needless deaths. Let's give passenger drones some airspace and shift the way we think about personal mobility.

Featured Image: gerenme/Getty Images
Source: Forget flying cars — passenger drones are the future

Airbus intends to test flying car before the end of the year

Posted: 01/28/2017 10:18 AM EST

Cities are growing worldwide and traffic as we know it will only get worse. Airbus Group's urban air mobility division predicts that by 2030, 60 percent of the population will live in cities, up from 50 percent today. The aircraft giant, second in size only to Boeing, is developing three separate solutions to urban congestion and they all look to the skies. Airbus is working on a single-passenger vehicle, package delivery drones, and autonomous buses.

Airbus CEO Tom Enders spoke about the company's projects in Munich at the DLD conference where he told attendees he hopes the company will demonstrate a single person flying vehicle by year's end, Reuters reported. "One hundred years ago, urban transport went underground, now we have the technological wherewithal to go above ground. We are in an experimentation phase, we take this development very seriously. With flying, you don't need to pour billions into concrete bridges and roads."

Calling on the corporate experience with commercial helicopters and making the most of emerging autonomous driving and artificial intelligence technologies, Enders continued, "If we ignore these developments, we will be pushed out of important segments of the business."

Vahana, a single-passenger, self-piloted vehicle, is the Airbus concept for a flying car, seen as a viable solution for gridlocked commuters. This is the vehicle Enders wants to test by the end of 2017 and according to division CEO Rodin Lyasoff, it's totally feasible.

Source: Airbus intends to test flying car before the end of the year

Airbus And Uber In The Race For Flying Cars

By Michael McDonald - Jan 26, 2017, 1:54 PM CST

France-based company Airbus is moving to the skies in a whole new way. As a leader in the airline industry, Airbus is constantly researching ways to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Their latest venture is an autonomous flying car that will be used to circumvent gridlocked streets.

CEO Tom Enders announced his company's plans at the 2016 DLD conference in Munich, claiming they would have a prototype ready to fly a single passenger by the end of this year. Project Vahana is being developed under a division of Airbus named A^3 in Silicon Valley. Rodin Lyasoff, the CEO of A^3 thinks it's possible to have their project on the market and used by millions within the next decade.

Initially hitting the market, this type of service will be quite costly to the public and would only attract the interest of a few high net worth individuals. Enders believes it'll quickly become widespread with limited costs of infrastructure or maintenance. The company plans on offering this service via an app similar to Uber but it'll need to operate on a much more intricate level. \A^3 is building an ecosystem that'll allow their flying cars to seamlessly interact and move without disrupting one another. Uber has been fine-tuning their service, UberChopper for over a year now. They've partnered with several helicopter companies in the past, depending on location and event, including Airbus at last year's Sundance Film Festival. The two companies have clearly exchanged ideas.

Within a few short months, these vehicles will begin taking flight. Technology doesn't seem to be an obstacle to A^3, pointing out most of the parts necessary are already available. The company stated there is one notable issue with current technology, that cameras may be able to avoid other cars in traffic but are nowhere near advanced enough for sensing airborne objects. Related: Despite Trump's Rhetoric: U.S. Needs OPEC Oil

Enders also points out the flying cars need to be powered by clean energy adding to the difficulties in development. If Airbus were successful this would mean a whole new form of travel potentially substituting traditional gas powered transportation. Demand for gas at the pump and ultimately crude could see a significant decrease in the next few years if the company is able to produce results.

There have been no signs of Boeing attempting to follow Airbus into this niche. The American based company is focusing on cleaner energy and more efficient planes, primarily on a larger scale. Boeing could lose out on serious profits if they don't explore this concept to the extent their duopoly counterpart has. Airbus is crossing over into the tech industry with this venture and may appeal to consumers on a more frequent basis.

Tech investors hoping to find a way to diversify their portfolio should consider Airbus. Shorting Boeing could help to finance this position as well until they've otherwise decided to enter this market. There'll likely be a correlation between Airbus and Uber's IPO expected to be released sometime this year. Crude may see a slight drop with any announcements from A^3 but it's unlikely to be significantly affected.

By Michael McDonald of Oilprice.com

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Source: Airbus And Uber In The Race For Flying Cars

AIRBUS’ FLYING CAR

When Mr. R.P. sent the following article to me, I said, "yea, right" to myself in a somewhat skeptical and cynical voice. After all, I'm of that generation that grew up reading The Weekly Reader in elementary school. For a younger generation, it's difficult to recapture the atmosphere of scientific and technological optimism that pervaded the country after President Kennedy made his now famous speech about landing humans on the Moon and returning them safely to Earth. There were stories everywhere of flying cars, Moon colonization, and missions to Mars which would shortly follow the first Moon landings and so on. Maglev bullet trains would whisk us from New York to San Francisco in a few hours, rivaling air travel. It was an era of unbridled and probably unrealistic optimism.

And it was all there in our Weekly Readers.

So, needless to say, when I see the occasional article about flying cars - and there have been quite a few since the 1960s - I tend to roll my eyes and dismiss the whole thing. Patents have been taken out; flying cars have even been built and in a few cases(if my memory serves me correctly), even tested. Yet, I'm still driving my motorized roller skate over potholed streets and crumbling infrastructure.

But nonetheless, willing to give it "one more try", I opened the article:

Airbus CEO sees 'flying car' prototype ready by end of year

What intrigued me here were quite a few things, not the least of which was that this latest pronouncement was not coming from a Weekly Reader, but being reported by Reuters, and coming from the CEO of Europe's Airbus industries. Airbus has a corporate history on delivering on what it says it's going to do. "We're going to build the world's largest jet airliner and it's going to be a lot bigger than Boeing's 747." And they did. So when they talk about flying cars, I tend to take notice.

But there's something else here that really caught my eye, and that was the rationale for Airbus's efforts:

Airbus Group plans to test a prototype for a self-piloted flying car as a way of avoiding gridlock on city roads by the end of the year, the aerospace group's chief executive said on Monday.

Airbus last year formed a division called Urban Air Mobility that is exploring concepts such as a vehicle to transport individuals or a helicopter-style vehicle that can carry multiple riders. The aim would be for people to book the vehicle using an app, similar to car-sharing schemes.

"One hundred years ago, urban transport went underground, now we have the technological wherewithal to go above ground," Airbus CEO Tom Enders told the DLD digital tech conference in Munich, adding he hoped the Airbus could fly a demonstration vehicle for single-person transport by the end of the year.

"We are in an experimentation phase, we take this development very seriously," he said, adding that Airbus recognized such technologies would have to be clean to avoid further polluting congested cities.

He said using the skies could also reduce costs for city infrastructure planners. "With flying, you don't need to pour billions into concrete bridges and roads," he said. (Emphasis added)

Gridlock, and avoidance of expensive infrastructure, like roads and bridges... in other words, Airbus is addressing a crucial issue that has been increasingly saddling localities and municipalities, particularly in the West, and at the time that financial experts - think only of German finance minister Wolfgang Schaueble here - are telling us the "debt-growth model" is over. Translation: there is now immense pressure on hedge funds, pensions, and retirement benefits in the West, and pressure on local governments to maintain, much less develop surface infrastructure, is acute. Indeed, why have roads and bridges at all? Private flying cars and even private flying "trucks" would be far more economical in a sense: up there in less dense air, resistance goes down, and with it, fuel consumption goes down. Overhead is reduced.

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But would it really reduce infrastructure requirements? Perhaps. But imagine taking the traffic in Paris or London or Los Angeles, and putting it in the air: traffic control infrastructure would have to be developed, and I'm willing to guess that it would be - at least initially - as expensive as current surface or underground infrastructure.

Regardless of how one thinks about Mr. Ender's infrastructure and gridlock arguments, the bottom line is that Airbus appears to be serious about delivering on an old dream, and this story therefore may be the beginning of a long development in this century. It's one to watch.

See you on the flip side...

About Joseph P. Farrell Joseph P. Farrell has a doctorate in patristics from the University of Oxford, and pursues research in physics, alternative history and science, and "strange stuff". His book The Giza DeathStar, for which the Giza Community is named, was published in the spring of 2002, and was his first venture into "alternative history and science".

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Source: AIRBUS' FLYING CAR

Driving for tomorrow: What drives car technology in 20 years

From the Model T to the modern Tesla, automobiles have always been near the forefront of technology. So, what can you expect from your car by the time 2040 rolls around? While the fabled flying car isn't on the horizon, here are some of the most likely possibilities.

Your car will be more connected than you areIf you think today's smartphones keep us connected, wait until you get into your new car in twenty years. Not only will it be able to talk to your network at home to grab your latest playlist, it will be able to interact with other vehicles on the road to prevent accidents, and also interact with traffic lights to improve traffic flow. If someone hits your tail light while it's parked, it will let you know and show you the video of who did it. When it's time to gas up or power up, you can expect your car to locate the station with the best price and to pay for the purchase automatically.

Your steering wheel will be optionalChildren born this year may never need to get a driver's license. While navigation systems still have a way to go before cars can go completely autonomous, auto companies (and suppliers to those companies) are working hard on it. In fact, they are envisioning cars in the next two decades without a steering wheel, or brake and gas pedals.

For those who do prefer to drive themselves occasionally, the control panel may be entirely on the windshield, using augmented reality. Mirrors are already supplemented by high-definition cameras, reducing the need to turn your head or move your focus from the road in front of you; in twenty years the rearview mirror - as we know it - is probably gone.

Driving will be more comfortableYou should expect the interior to be more comfortable, with soft, lightweight materials that are soothing to the touch and reduce vehicle weight, offering more color options than what is available today. BMW is already experimenting with different seating modes to be used while the car is piloting itself, so you have the option to face the person beside you.

Other companies are looking into bright LED headlights positioned under the bumper that light up the road without blinding oncoming drivers. Mitsubishi Motors is experimenting with rubber coated undercarriage and bumpers to reduce damage to the vehicle and injuries to others. They - along with those concepts produced by other carmakers - have also removed the pillars between the front and rear doors.

Car parts will change tooWhen you need a new part for your car, rather than shipping it from the manufacturer, you may be able to make it yourself. As 3D printing continues to evolve, you should be able create anything you need, one layer at a time, from many different materials, including rubber and titanium.

Bacteria-made tires are already possible, thanks to companies like Goodyear and Genencor. They have engineered E. coli bacteria that can create massive amounts of isoprene by digesting sugar. A main ingredient in rubber, isoprene is today normally extracted from oil, but may soon be coming from bio-isoprene breweries.

Sources

Source: Driving for tomorrow: What drives car technology in 20 years

The LEGO Batman Movie flying car make and take

Toys R Us in Hong Kong recently held a special event for The LEGO Batman Movie, allowing children to build a unique little Batman build. It's a flying car, based on the car Emmet drives in The LEGO Movie but in bat-black and of course with the ability to fly. It's another wacky entry in a long list of wacky designs that the animated feature is providing.

Allan at the Brick Fan shared the news, with the Legend Bricks Facebook group kindly sharing the instructions so that fans around the world can put this build together.

The LEGO Batman Movie is due for release on February 10. The range of sets based on the film are available to buy now.

Source: The LEGO Batman Movie flying car make and take

Airbus to test a flying car by end of 2017

Airbus is planning to test self-piloted personal aircraft by the end of the year as a way of reducing traffic on inner-city roads. The announcement was made by the aerospace group's CEO, Tom Enders, on Monday at the DLD digital tech conference in Munich. During his keynote speech, Enders said Airbus is investing in driverless […]

https://europeanbiz.wordpress.com/2017/01/18/airbus-to-test-a-flying-car-by-end-of-2017/

Author: MA Consultancy / WelshBiz

Web Marketing Agency & UK Business and Sports News Blogger via regional and national business and sports news blogs and linked social media accounts. View all posts by MA Consultancy / WelshBiz

Source: Airbus to test a flying car by end of 2017

Airbus CEO sees ‘flying car’ prototype ready by end of year

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"Airbus Group plans to test a prototype for a self-piloted flying car as a way of avoiding gridlock on city roads by the end of the year, the aerospace group's chief executive said on Monday.

Airbus last year formed a division called Urban Air Mobility that is exploring concepts such as a vehicle to transport individuals or a helicopter-style vehicle that can carry multiple riders. The aim would be for people to book the vehicle using an app, similar to car-sharing schemes."

SOURCE:http://www.reuters.com/article/us-airbus-group-tech-idUSKBN1501DM

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Source: Airbus CEO sees 'flying car' prototype ready by end of year

Airbus Wants to Test Its Flying Car Prototype This Year

That's according to Airbus Group's CEO, Tom Enders, who hopes the initiative will free up city roads from gridlock.

Speaking at a conference in Munich, Mr Enders said: "One hundred years ago, urban transport went underground, now we have the technological wherewithal to go above ground". The aviation giant sees flying taxis as the next logical step in urban transportation, and hopes ultimately to develop a network of these vehicles that can be hailed with an app in the style of car-sharing services.

The civil aircraft manufacturer is developing a self-piloted flying vehicle to ease congestion in busy urban areas. We are in an experimentation phase, we take this development very seriously.

"With flying, you don't need to pour billions into concrete bridges and roads", he said. Airbus has been developing its autonomous vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) concept through Project Vahana, an internal project created to test viability and refine a prototype for urban air transport.

Flying cars may still seem outlandish and primarily the province of science fiction, but helicopter-maker Airbus actually believes that they'd be ignoring the category at their peril, given the pace and progress of technology that can help make it possible, including autonomous driving systems and electric battery tech. He also stated that "reliable sense-and-avoid technology", just showing up now in cars, is one of their target challenges. A fleet of autonomous vehicles that run on electricity generated by the sun sounds like the type of future we wouldn't mind living in. The actual design is being kept secret, but the concept would use multiple propellers and look like a relatively small drone.

The proof will still be in the flying pudding, but at least now we could get a glimpse of that later this year.

Airbus isn't waiting around for some other company or group to be the first in the flying vehicle business.

Source: Airbus Wants to Test Its Flying Car Prototype This Year

Airbus Says They’ll Have A Flying Car By Year’s End

It's interesting to see various major companies zero in on similar ideas. We previously talked about Arconic's Jetsons plan, which listed the prediction that things would keep heading skyward; larger and larger skyscrapers with the job of not only hosting space, but cleaning our air. Apparently, Airbus, appendage of the multinational aerospace and defense behemoth from Holland, has a similar outlook. However, in anticipation of taller and taller buildings, they are looking at newer forms of transport and Airbus wouldn't be Airbus if they didn't first consider something that could fly. That flying something is a flying car.

Urban Air Mobility

The big initiative from Airbus is Urban Air Mobility, a self-driving flying car for ride-sharing. Essentially, a much more terrifying Uber ride for people who hate stoplights. We've certainly heard about plans for flying cars, but here's the kicker with this one: CEO of Airbus, Tom Enders, is looking to have a full and prope r prototype by the year's end. This announcement left a lot of journalists skeptical considering that the long history of flying cars has been an unsuccessful one with limited entries occasionally making little more than slow news.

Here's another kicker: the prototype is planned to accommodate a single rider. Airbus is already looking to partner with Uber for on-demand helicopter rides. And all of this is only one part of a much larger project they are working on with their division known as A^3.

What is A^3?

A^3  is the "Silicon Valley outpost of the Airbus Group," as their website puts it. They're essentially the division of Airbus Group that is overseeing and designing these new developments such as Project Vahana, the project name for Urban Air Mobility. They're currently devoted to developing fully autonomous flight for one or more passengers as an on-demand service for major cities.

The goal is to provide an alternate means of transport to combat the time lost in densely populated cities due to traffic gridlock and other grounded impediments we all know all too well. They believe that full implementation within ten years is a reasonable goal; "Many of the technologies needed, such as batteries, motors and avionics are most of the way there," according to Rodin Lyasoff CEO of A^3.

The Barrier

No major city in the world, however, allows drones to traverse their city without a remote pilot, leaving A^3 in a proof of concept phase. They're proceeding through this phase with the National University of Singapore, who is allowing them to develop a parcel delivery service that they eventually intend to market to Amazon rather than compete with the retailer's drone services.

A^3 and Airbus as a whole believe that this is the logical next step for public transport and that they face incoming competition from the likes of Elon Musk and e-volo. Hence their rush to have a working prototype. Airbus certainly has the financial capacity and corporate history to allow for this sort of development. However, if they want to progress at the speed they've outlined, they may need to acquire smaller startup businesses who are already rapidly developing elements of the technology they need before their competition.

Personally, I can't wait for all the test failure footage on YouTube. That's going to be one hell of a fun ride.

Michael ChindamoMANAGING EDITOR, SnapMunk

Mike Is a GTA Local Technology and Geek Interest Writer Having Worked in the Field for Nearly Ten Years as a Contributing Writ er and Editor for Various Publications in Fashion, Entertainment, Gaming and News. Since Then He's Offered a Variety of Opinions on Things and Then Moves on to the Next Bit of News That Interested Him. He Has Remained Properly Unfashionable Since 1987 and Plans to Stay That Way.

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Source: Airbus Says They'll Have A Flying Car By Year's End

Airbus CEO Eyes Flying Car in 2017 (EADSY)

Tom Enders, CEO of aerospace company Airbus Group SE (EADSY), has indicated that it may be only a matter of months — not years — before a self-piloted flying car reaches city roads. (See also: Will Airbus Make a Comeback?)

Enders said EADSY could unveil a test version of a self-piloted flying car by the end of 2017, Reuters reported. He also noted that EADSY is in the experimentation stage of development of a flying car and is committed to transforming its vision into a reality. "One hundred years ago, urban transport went underground, now we have the technological wherewithal to go above ground. … We take this development very seriously," Enders said, according to Reuters.

Furthermore, EADSY is the world's largest manufacturer of helicopters, and the business last year formed an urban air mobility division that could play a major role in the company's future.

Reuters pointed out that EADSY's urban air mobility division is studying the development of helicopter-style vehicles that can carry multiple riders simultaneously. In addition, Reuters reported that riders would be able to book trips on these vehicles via a mobile app.

EADSY recorded strong results over the first nine months of 2016, which is reflected in the business's most recent earnings report.

Some of EADSY's results during the first nine months of 2016 included:

Group order intake of nearly $77.9 billion.

Total revenues of roughly $45.4 billion.

380 net commercial aircraft orders.

The Cerbat Gem reported various brokerage firms recently commented on EADSY shares, including:

Morgan Stanley: Gave EADSY shares a Buy rating on Jan. 5.

Citigroup: Set a Buy grade for the company's shares on Nov. 4.

Deutsche Bank: Provided a Buy recommendation on Sept. 27.

EADSY features a market capitalization of $53.68 billion, The Cerbat Gem noted. Also, EADSY shares have a 50-day moving average price of $66.56 and a 200-day moving average price of $59.05.

Source: Airbus CEO Eyes Flying Car in 2017 (EADSY)

Airbus to Unveil Flying Urban Mobility Prototype by End of 2017

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The future of personal mobility has focused on autonomous vehicles, but Airbus is looking even further ahead–flying cars. In fact, the aviation company claims it'll have a working prototype ready by the end of the year.

Airbus CEO Tom Enders made the announcement yesterday while speaking at the DLD digital tech conference in Munich, Germany, Reuters reports.

"One hundred years ago, urban transport went underground, now we have the technological wherewithal to go above ground," Enders said. He said flying cars would help reduce traffic and wouldn't command expensive supporting infrastructure because "with flying, you don't need to pour billions into concrete and roads."

Airbus is widely known for building commercial and passenger aircraft and helicopters. But last year it established a new "Urban Air Mobility" division dedicated to future personal transportation. The division is now called A³ ("A-Cubed") and is based in Silicon Valley.

The division's main project is dubbed Vahana, "a self-piloted flying vehicle platform for individual passenger and cargo transport," Airbus said in a company magazine article published last year. The company envisions a future where its autonomous flying vehicles will be hailed via an app, similar to Uber and Lyft ride-hailing services.

Airbus says these vehicles can carry multiple passengers and could be ready to launch in as soon as 10 years. The company hasn't provided details on its upcoming prototype, but Reuters reports it'll be a one-passenger vehicle.

Airbus isn't alone with its flying car ambitions. Last year the EHang 184 passenger drone was unveiled at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. Meanwhile, Zee.Aero is another Silicon Valley-based startup looking into flying cars and reportedly has the backing of Google co-founder Larry Page.

Source: Reuters, Airbus

Source: Airbus to Unveil Flying Urban Mobility Prototype by End of 2017

Airbus autonomous flying car prototype may enter testing this year

Traveling by car can be incredibly frustrating and time consuming in the world's largest cities, a problem that'll only get worse if suitable mass transportation options aren't developed. While trains are one great option, the future may hold a better solution: autonomous ("self-piloting") aircraft dubbed flying cars that transport groups of people via the air rather than the ground.

We've known since last year that Airbus — namely, the company's relatively new Urban Air Mobility division — is exploring this future. Per concepts developed at this point, Airbus may one day develop self-piloting flying cars that work similarly to Uber: travelers will book a ride via a mobile app to claim their spot.

While Airbus is still experimenting with its ideas at this time, company CEO Tom Enders recently stated that a single-person aerial transport vehicle may enter testing by the end of 2017. Assuming such self-piloting aerial vehicles become a normal part of mass public transportation, cities could save ample amounts of both space and money.

Whereas ground transportation requires constant maintenance of roads, bridges, tracks, and tunnels, flying cars don't require any of those things. The reduced ground transportation could also decrease the number of roads needed, reducing noise in cities, as well as costs and pollution.

SOURCE: Reuters

Source: Airbus autonomous flying car prototype may enter testing this year

Drones are everywhere, but there's still major safety and privacy concerns

Photo: AP

Drones seem to be the way of the future, but there's still major safety and privacy concerns among the community. 

Tech futurist Steve Sammartino tells 3AW's Nick McCallum, "They're here now and they're everywhere."

The reason why? Steve tells 3AW Drive, "The cost and performance ratio of drones has dropped 142 times in the last six years."

To put into perspective, he says a $1000 drone today would have cost $142,000 six years ago.

Steve says, "They're super easy to fly," unlike older RC airplanes.

He says they are the future in a lot of ways, but people still have major privacy concerns.

"We need to have a balance between the law and the privacy and where and how we use them," Steve said on 3AW Drive.

"Drones will be The Jetson's flying car we've all been dreaming of for 60 years."

Click PLAY below to hear more

Source: Drones are everywhere, but there's still major safety and privacy concerns

Terrafugia TF-X Plug-In Hybrid Flying Car

The flying car has been a staple of science fiction for decades. After all, who doesn't dream of escaping traffic jams with the push of a button?

Well, the science fiction of yesterday can be the reality of today. Therefore, let us introduce you to the Transition, a car-airplane by Terrafugia, a Woburn, MA-based company.

There are not many details about the Transition (officially called the TF-X). Terrafugia says it will be a four seater, and will feature fly-by-wire controls and "the state-of-the-art in intelligent systems". It will capable of a vertical take-off and landing – just like a helicopter.

Terrafugia says the Transition is in the 'earliest stages of design and feasibility studies'.

The Transition may not be heavy of details, but it already does have a price tag – $279,000.

Perhaps the Terrafugia TF-X is only a dream at this point – but enjoy some computer models of the vehicle – if only to consider what might be.

Matthew Breen

A Pursuitist contributor, Matt is blogging about travel, auto, gadgets, food and drink. Based in Colorado, Matt loves to share the latest luxury. Follow author Matt Breen on Google +.

Source: Terrafugia TF-X Plug-In Hybrid Flying Car

Ford Brings Augmented Reality to the 2017 North American International Auto Show

Remember that scene in Back to the Future (of course you do) when Doc and Marty actually go into the future and Michael J. Fox's character gets eaten by a holographic shark? Well, guess what? October 21 2015 has passed, and we still don't have those.

We don't have flying cars or actual hoverboards either, but let's not get lost in too many details. However, I very much prefer this version of the future than the one imagined by the movie's creators, thank you very much, so I'm not complaining.

Besides, we do have virtual reality, and all you need to experience it is your phone and a few pieces of cardboard. But do you know what's better than VR? AR. That's right, augmented reality. That's that bit where the two overlap and you can see things that aren't really there, to give it a definition your grandma would understand.

"Think of augmented reality as the blending of virtual reality with real life," says Garett Carr, Ford global auto shows manager. "It's like having x-ray vision, with the power to take people deeper into our product and technology stories – it feels a little like magic."

If we had x-ray vision, we would definitely look at something other than a Ford EcoSport small SUV, but we guess not ev erybody thinks the same. Ford has prepared three different AR experiences for three of its new products that the 2017 NAIAS visitors will be able to enjoy.

First off is the elusive Ford GT, which will demonstrate its aerodynamics testing by racing through a wind tunnel. The second AR demonstration focuses on the 10-speed automatic transmission found in the new 2018 F-150 pickup truck. Finally, the EcoSport small SUV that's making its US debut will show everyone its insides in a way never before seen.

What we're really hoping for, though, is a way to implement augmented reality into the windshield of a car so that important information would be overlayed with the view outside: no more missing a roundabout exit due to vague navigation directions.

Source: Ford Brings Augmented Reality to the 2017 North American International Auto Show

9 Ingredient, Easy Chicken & Black Bean Soup {One Pot}

This Easy Chicken & Black Bean Soup is made with just nine ingredients and can be ready, from prep to finish, in 25 minutes or less!  Loaded with chicken, black beans and salsa, this quick soup doesn't sacrifice flavor!

Helllllo Friends!  Happy 2nd Thursday of the New Year!

Is anyone else still having trouble processing the fun fact that we are in 2017?

I know we are now TWELVE days into the year and my brain should have accepted this, but I am still writing 2016 on everything.

But, IF I happen to get the year correct, then I definitely get the month wrong.

Basically, I'm writing January 2016 or December 2017 on all the things.

#BlondeHairProblems for sure.

Since I am on the topic of the New Year, is it just me or did anyone else think we'd be flying cars by now, and not driving them?

I mean, in Back to the Future, Marty and Doc time traveled INTO 2015 and they had flying cars.  We are 2 years past that.

So my question is, where are these flying cars?  Because, I want one.  Obviously.  😉

Anyways, now that I'm rambled your little ears (errr eyes?) off, I'll get to the food now.

A friend of mine (Mary Ann over at The Beach House Kitchen) mentioned on her blog that January is National Soup Month.  To me, this is most excellent news, because I have a bunch of soups to share with you guys.

And we are going to get the soup party started with one of my favorites….

…Make that SPEEDY and super EASY, NINE INGREDIENT, Black Bean & Chicken Soup.

Ready, from prep to finish, in 25 minutes or less.

AND made in just one pot.

Did you just lose your mind?  Don't worry about finding it, because YES, you DID read all that correctly.

This soup is ridiculous in the very best way.

Ridiculously quick. ✔️️

Ridiculously easy. ✔️️

And, ridiculously delicious. ✔️️

Smoky, earthy, savory and cozy comforting, this soup has a silky, salsa-broth base with chunks of chicken and heaps of black beans.

If you want to take things to the next level of yum (because ummm who DOESN'T?), I highly suggest you load it up with ALL the toppings – diced avocado, sliced green onions, shredded cheese, crunchy tortilla strips, sliced jalapenos and a dollop (or three) of sour cream.

Hearty, yet healthy and loaded with flavor, this black bean and chicken soup has swiftly become a cozy favorite.

Recipe Notes:

I'm just going to be honest here, since I'm sure someone, somewhere will want to be a nitpicker.  I do not count salt, pepper and olive oil in the ingredient count.  They are pantry staples.  Even Rachael Ray doesn't count those in her 30 minute meals.  So, if you have a problem with this, I suggest you take it up with her.  Mmmmm'kay?

I highly recommend you use a salsa on the chunky side and if you are purchasing it, versus making it, buy one you love.  The salsa is a large part of this recipe, so just make sure you are using one you adore.  If I'm buying my salsa for this soup I like this brand and flavor – Tostitos Cantina Roasted Garlic.  I'm not getting paid to say that, I'm just being honest.  😉

For the chicken, you can make your own or purchase cooked chicken.  Rotisserie chicken comes in handy here.  Or, you can do what I do and slow cook, or sous vide, a bunch of chicken breasts to have on hand for easy meals like these.

If you like your soup with a little heat, you can either use a spicy salsa, or you can add a diced jalapeno to the soup at the same time you add the onion.

Cozy, comforting, quick and easy, this Black Bean & Chicken Soup is the perfect way to celebrate National Soup Month.

Until next week friends, cheers – to soup-erb eats!

-xoxo-

Cheyanne

9 Ingredient, Easy Chicken & Black Bean Soup {One Pot}

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth-Bany

Prep time:  5 mins

Cook time:  20 mins

Total time:  25 mins

Serves: 2-4

1 TBS Olive Oil

1 medium Yellow Onion – diced*

2 cloves of Garlic – minced

2 tsp each Ground Cumin & Chili Powder

2 (15 ounce) cans Black Beans – rinsed and drained

2 Cups Your Favorite Chunky Salsa (homemade or store-bought)

4 Cups Low Sodium Vegetable Stock

3 Cups Cooked Chicken – shredded or chopped

⅓ Cup Fresh Cilantro – chopped, plus more for garnish

Kosher Salt and Pepper

Optional Garnishes: Diced Avocado, Sliced Green Onions, Sour Cream, Sliced Jalapenos, Shredded Cheese

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and season generously with salt and pepper. Sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes.

Add in garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add in remaining ingredients, except cilantro, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in cilantro and stir to combine. Taste and adjust for seasoning.

Serve soup warm with additional garnishes. Enjoy!

*If you want your black bean soup spicy either use spicy salsa or add 1 diced jalapeno to the pan with the onion.

3.2.2708

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Source: 9 Ingredient, Easy Chicken & Black Bean Soup {One Pot}

Forget the Future, These 2017 CES Products Are Here Now

Every year at the Consumer Electronics Shows (CES), much of the attention goes to prototypes and ideas for products that may be the next big thing, or may never even reach production. The 2017 show was no different. While most of the central exhibit hall's booths showed off established companies offering incremental changes to established products (like slightly thinner TVs), a few showed off fantastical ideas that are not yet commercially available. That included an army of robots, expensive virtual reality technology, and smart everything (including lots of items that might be practical, but not at the prices shown).

However, just because CES devotes a lot of space to items that may never make it to market, doesn't mean there were no exciting innovations on the show floor. The 2017 show had a number of future-facing products that can be bought, if not now, at least this year. These may not be quite as exciting as some of the prototype ideas, but the actual releases at the show went well beyond slightly faster PCs, more powerful phones, and smarter robot vacuums.

These three products may not be flying cars or robots that can babysit your kids, but they are real innovations nonetheless. Sometimes the best technology comes from companies working hard to solve actual problems even if they are ones we did not know we had.

CES showed off some technology (available now or soon) that can make your life easier and/or better. Image source: author.

DISH has made cord-cutting easier

At CES 2015, DISH Network (NASDAQ:DISH) introduced Sling TV, a first-of-its-kind digital streaming service. At the time, many thought that being able to access a number of top cable channels (including ESPN, CNN, TBS, and TNT) would be enough to get consumers to cut the cord with traditional cable in big numbers.

That did not happen, at least in part because part of the cord-cutting package for many is using an HD antenna to pick up over-the-air (OTA) local stations. The problem is, that even if your market has a good selection of free TV channels for you to pick up, an antenna requires switching inputs away from Sling TV, and the channels you do get lack any sort of on-screen guide.

Sling has fixed that with AirPlay (introduced at CES 2017), a new box that integrates Sling TV and OTA stations while offering an on-screen guide for all channels available. It's a simple device that when combined with a Sling subscription and an HDTV antenna can create a very cable-like experience at a much lower cost.

AirTV has already begun shipping. It costs $129.99 for a bundle that includes an adapter that allows you to connect an HD antenna. That package also comes with a $50 Sling TV credit (though that offer is subject to change).

Something smart that's actually intelligent

CES was filled with smart devices and to put it kindly most of them filled a very limited market. Moen, however, went smart with a device that can actually make a difference in people's personal comfort.

The U by Moen shower solves a small, but annoying problem. How often have you gotten into the shower and found it either too cold (annoying) or too hot (dangerous). U by Moen uses a digital valve that offers "precise, thermostatic temperature control, and enables the user to connect up to four shower devices (showerheads, handshowers, body sprays, etc.)," the company said in a press release.

It comes with a WiFi-connected controller that shows the user whether their shower is heating up or cooling down. "When the shower is ready, the screen will turn white and provide an on-screen notification and signal with a tone." Owners can control the U by Moen through an app which works on an iOS or Android smartphone.

The device starts shipping in March. At $1,160, it's not cheap on its own, but it would be a small cost when redoing an entire bathroom. That may also seem like a small price to pay when on a winter day you dial up a hot shower ready to step into before even getting out of bed.

At the end of it, a beer would be nice

While Anheuser-Busch (NASDAQOTH: AHBIF) announced plans during CES to release an in-home alcoholic drink system in conjunction with Keurig, PicoBrew actually showed one off. The company launched its at-home brewer on Kickstarter last fall, but at CES it introduced the ability for people to make their own beer recipes.

"The new FreeStyle PicoPak capability and the FreeStyle BrewCrafter tool gives customers the ability to create their own unique craft beers, while PicoBrew does the heavy lifting of sourcing ingredients, and producing a tidy compostable brewing package, making the whole homebrewing process easier and more precise," said PicoBrew CEO Bill Mitchell.

A beer-only device, PicoBrew caters to aficionados of the beverage. The just-announced Anheuser-Busch/Keurig product, if it actually comes to be, is expected to allow for making mixed drinks using the now-defunct Keurig Kold platform and technology.

PicoBrew offers PicoPaks from over 150 brewery partners and has 60 craft beer recipes to serve as a base for customer creations. The device costs $799, but it's easy to see how a beer snob who wants to be able to whip up a fresh brew (about 5 liters in just a few hours) would consider this life-changing technology.

Daniel Kline has no position in any stocks mentioned. He plans to try at least two of these (though the cost of the last two may make that not happen). The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Source: Forget the Future, These 2017 CES Products Are Here Now